Staff Blog
The fourth quarter of the school year was about to start and we decided to move up some students who were academically progressing to a new grade level. I was delighted, excited, and yet a little bit nervous thinking that I would have a new student who is intelligent, gifted, and of course, well-loved by everyone both in school and in the shelter.
The first few weeks were filled with many things to adapt to, and I prayed that the new student would not be too overwhelmed by the change. Slowly, with the help of the responsive classroom approach we implemented, it supports the student to have an easy transition to a new environment.
In our school, we usually do our morning routines such as greetings, group sharing activities, reading of the morning message, and praying before we start our classes. One of the best memories of my journey with this boy was when he first greeted me with my name as his "new teacher" and hugged me. He even asked me about my morning. He was so excited!
The first day with him was not as smooth as I hoped for. There were a few bumps. This was the reason why we observed him in the classroom and modifications were made to suit the student's needs. He would always choose to be the first person in the line, but I explained that we have our rules on "taking turns," and he already had his chance. When I checked on him outside the classroom the next day, he sat on his spot and patiently waited for others to come. I realized that firmness and consistency are two powerful tools to achieve successful classroom management.
Another classroom scene that made my day was when we had our group sharing. Knowing that younger students are visual learners, I added fun pictures to make our sharing more interactive and to get their attention. As I flashed some images on the screen, I heard him laugh as if he was being tickled. It went on for a long time, and it certainly gave his classmates a stomachache laughing with him which caused a little bit of chaos in the class. So, I gave him 30 seconds, and he did stop. It was effective, then we began with our sharing. Since that moment, we've been working on calling the name of the next sharer. He was very observant and quick to realize that he needed to do the same to his classmates. To our surprise, he was able to call the next sharer without his classmate's help and use the phrase "Popcorn, student's name." Everyone in the class was shocked and happy, telling me, "Teacher Lyrah, have you heard him saying popcorn? He learns so fast!" Truly, success happens not just because of one person working as "the teacher," but it includes the students and peers who help one another and have a common goal to lift each other up.
Moreover, I have noticed that he is gifted and very clever. I had set aside things each morning and prepared different materials that he would need to stay focused in our class. These things will be given after each class activity. It was essential to remind him that he needed to finish his tasks then he could use what is prepared for him. Well, being firm with expectations and setting classroom boundaries are challenging at times; however, at CCHS we always do it with love and care.
He appeared to be adjusting into our classroom setting over the next few days. He also loves to participate when being asked. Though, he needed some reminders from time to time for him to stay on track. There was one instance in the middle of our discussion he stood up and asked for his dinosaur books. We stopped, and most of his classmates reminded him to ask permission every time he stands or wants to have something. He did go back to his seat and asked permission. But it was not time for him to read a book yet. So, he participated in our reading first and answered all the activities. Then he got the book for him to enjoy. Another strategy that was very effective to him was giving him a time frame before he could get his desired reading materials. These things didn't come easy, it requires hard work, patience, determination, cooperation, and above all, love. We made a lot of classroom modifications to cater for his needs and the rest of the class.
To be successful in the classroom, as teachers, we need to set clear classroom boundaries for our students.
As Colossians 3:23-24 says: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."
Bright Future Ahead
As an adult, we wonder what the future will look like. Too often, we are afraid of it, not trusting. It is funny. Even though we are more experienced than little children they often teach us to keep calm and have faith. The future is in God’s mighty hands.
Kids arriving at CSC are unsure, uncertain and sometimes doubtful. They have been through a lot at a very young age, but they never waver about the future. At CSC they learn to trust again; to know that they are provided for and do not need to worry if they will have another meal. They look straight forward with hopeful hearts. They rest in God’s knowing hands that they will have a bright future ahead.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” --Jeremiah 29:11
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New Faces
Just as the kids are finishing up summer activities and heading into the last three weeks of their summer break, the school staff is getting geared back up to kick off the new school year. Whew! Summer went by so fast! The staff reports back on Monday, June 8 for two weeks of planning and preparation. Six new people will join our staff this year, so we have lots to do to get ready for the kids on June 22. Five of the new members are from Cebu or someplace nearby. Each will bring a fresh set of skills, one is an elementary major, another is a math major and yet another is a special education major. The sixth new person, Amanda, is from the US, just having completed her studies in science education. It’s been a couple of years since we have had a teacher from North America, so we are looking forward to having a native English speaker on the staff full time.
Amanda
More news of fun and learning will follow from the school halls in the weeks and months to come, but as we get ready for the kids, think of us and pray especially for the six new teachers, Alfie, Micillent, Lyrah, Amanda, Ethel and Ivy, who have committed to teaching at CCHS this year.
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He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Today we had a few Staff members from the LOGOS HOPE ship visit
us here at CSC. Their ship is docked here in Cebu City for the month of
May. It was fun for our kids to interact with young
Christians from all over the world, We had people from Europe, from
South America and one young lady from Florida. It was good for our kids
to hear the accents and to learn a few words of other languages, but
most important it was good for our kids to see the light of the Lord
shining it the eyes and beaming from the hearts of each of these young
people. One of our kids was surprised to learn that someone from
another country already knew about God....he thought that CSC was the
only place that told people about God. 
That conversation that I
overheard really brought home to me the staggering responsibility that
we have, we are telling kids about THE GOD, the creator of the
universe, their creator. WOW, what a blessing and what a
responsibility we have! All I could think of was the
children's song; "He's Got the Whole World in his Hands". That HE
does, and I am thankful for that fact. We all need to be reminded of
these simple truths from time to time. Thank you to the amazing young people of the 
Logos Hope for helping to bring this simple truth home to me today! 
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A Wet Responsibility
Jerry Salgo is one of the many people behind the scene making everything go smoothly. He is in charge of the CSC facilities, along with the maintenance and security personnel. While classes have been out on break, his team has been working to repaint and restore the school so that it will look as good as new when the students return near the end of June.
One of the projects they were working on was removing a
whirlpool from the therapy room. Cebu Children of Hope School acquired the
whirlpool several years ago and it was a great asset, meeting some of the
physical therapy needs of our kids. It has since worn out its welcome and is no
longer being used. The decision was made to remove it and sell it if possible. Uncle
Jerry, being the conscientious steward that he is, needed first to ensure that
it was working properly. As a man of high integrity, no task is too small or too
silly for him to oversee the details personally. It is one of the many reasons
we appreciate his hard work.
Once the removal is complete a new project will begin. The therapists, Jinkee Reasoner and Marwin Abong, have begun developing plans for a sensory wall to be installed. This will provide different tactile stimulation and be part of the therapy treatment for kids at CSC.
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CHS Graduation 2015
Children of Hope School recently celebrated its graduation.
Three students graduated preschool and are ready to move on to
kindergarten.
Five
students graduated sixth grade and are ready to make the transition from
elementary to high school.
It was a fun day to think back on all the hard work the students had put in over the past year. Each student received an award from their teacher, highlighting their individual accomplishments. Recognizing the hard work means a lot to each child. The graduates enjoyed their big day and are excited for next school year.
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